Chapter 7: A Transaction of One Billion
Renjiro sat calmly at a corner table of the café, his fingers lightly tapping on the cup of coffee before him. His sharp eyes, dark as obsidian, focused on the entrance as he waited patiently. The café, though the best in Shuangyang City, still carried an air of quaint charm compared to the grand establishments of bigger cities. But to Renjiro, that was exactly why he had chosen this location — safe, discreet, and public enough to discourage any foul play.
The bell above the door chimed melodiously, announcing the arrival of a woman who immediately drew all eyes toward her. Liu Shuyun had arrived. Dressed in a vibrant red cheongsam that accentuated every graceful curve of her figure, she was the embodiment of elegance and danger. The slit along her slender legs offered fleeting glimpses that stirred admiration and envy alike among the café's patrons. Beside her followed a young woman with short hair, her assistant — efficient and silent, like a shadow.
With a quick sweep of her eyes, Liu Shuyun took in the surroundings with mild disdain. For someone accustomed to the high-rise luxury of Magic City's top floors, this café — despite being top-tier for Shuangyang — was underwhelming.
"With a billion-dollar business on the line, you pick a place like this?" she asked, her voice laced with both amusement and mild irritation as she pulled out a chair and sat opposite Renjiro.
Renjiro, unfazed, offered a polite smile. "Many people, many eyes. It's safe," he replied coolly, his tone neither defensive nor apologetic.
Liu Shuyun leaned back, crossing one elegant leg over the other, regarding the young man with renewed curiosity. Her assistant took her place silently behind her. For a deal of this magnitude, she'd expected an older, grizzled businessman — not a teenager who looked fresh out of high school.
"You're cautious. That's good," she said, lighting a slim cigarette and exhaling a lazy stream of smoke in his direction. "But you think too much, kid. I'm not the type to play dirty."
Renjiro's gaze flicked to the no-smoking sign on the wall. "No smoking here," he reminded her, his voice calm but firm.
Liu Shuyun smirked, clearly amused. "You're quite the rule-follower, aren't you?" But she stubbed out the cigarette obediently. "Conservative little guy."
Renjiro didn't bother to respond to the jab. Instead, he sipped his coffee, his eyes steady on hers. Despite her teasing and the overwhelming aura she exuded, he refused to be intimidated. After all, he had bigger dreams — dreams that required him to stand firm no matter who sat across from him.
"So, little brother," Liu Shuyun said, resting her elbows on the table and folding her hands under her chin, "are you going to tell me what a high schooler like you plans to do with a billion-dollar opportunity? I came all the way from Magic City. Don't disappoint me."
"Age isn't what defines capability," Renjiro said evenly. "And today, you'll be glad you came."
That confident reply caught her off guard. The casual arrogance, the calm resolve — they didn't match his youthful face. For a moment, she reconsidered her initial judgment.
Liu Shuyun extended her hand across the table. "Liu Shuyun, president of the Century Metropolis Magic City branch."
Renjiro shook her hand briefly. "Renjiro."
For the first time that day, surprise flickered across Liu Shuyun's face. The Century Metropolis was a titan in the Pokémon item and trading world — a name synonymous with wealth, power, and reach. That Renjiro was dealing directly with a branch president spoke volumes.
"So," she said, leaning back again, "how do you want to cooperate?"
Renjiro's lips quirked in a slight smile. "Surely, as president, you came with a plan?"
Liu Shuyun laughed. "Smart kid. I like that." She gestured to her assistant. "Xiaoyue, show him."
Xiaoyue handed over a thick folder. Renjiro opened it and began reading. For the next half hour, he studied the document carefully while Liu Shuyun observed him. Not once did he seem overwhelmed or confused by the legal jargon or business terms. When he finally closed it, his expression was thoughtful.
"Your terms are fair," he said at last. "I have no problem with them. But—"
"But?" Liu Shuyun arched a brow.
"I have one condition. I want ten million upfront."
Liu Shuyun blinked. Then, in one swift motion, she stood, slamming her palms onto the table. The force rattled the cups, and every head in the café turned toward them.
"Are you out of your mind?!" she hissed, her polished composure cracking. "Ten million?! Do you think I'm here to be scammed by a schoolboy?"
Renjiro didn't flinch. He waited for the attention to die down, then took a slow sip of his coffee.
"You misunderstand," he said quietly. "I need the money. Now. It's nothing to you. A drop in the bucket. And as you said — I'm just a kid. Easy to track, impossible to disappear. If I'm lying, you'll have no trouble finding me. Don't you have that much confidence in your own power?"
His words, measured and calm, settled into Liu Shuyun's mind. Slowly, she sat down again, glaring at him but thinking hard. Ten million was small change for Century Metropolis, but her reputation was not. What if this was all a farce? What if she became the laughingstock of the business world for being duped by a boy?
But if it wasn't… if Renjiro really could do what he claimed…
She weighed her options. The risk was minimal compared to the potential reward. A successful evolution of Feebas into Milotic would secure her position in the group's hierarchy. That alone was worth more than ten million.
Finally, she sighed. "You're gutsy, I'll give you that. Xiaoyue — give it to him."
Xiaoyue produced a check for ten million yuan and the Poké Ball containing Feebas. "Mr. Renjiro, here is the check and the Feebas."
Renjiro took both items with a nod, pocketing them without ceremony. He stood and extended his hand. "You've made the right choice. You won't regret it."
Liu Shuyun shook his hand, her earlier amusement replaced by grudging respect. "You'd better deliver, little brother."
Before Renjiro could reply, the television mounted on the café wall crackled, interrupting the soft background music. The screen flickered, switching from a drama to an urgent news bulletin.
"Emergency notice! Emergency notice!" The announcer's voice was serious, tense.
Renjiro and Liu Shuyun both turned toward the screen, their deal momentarily forgotten as they listened to the report.
---